Powdercoating -vs- Painting

[matchframe]

I am at the stage of deciding to powdercoat the frame, or just paint it. I have located 2 powdercoating places nearby that have the capability of doing frames, but I have not talked directly to them about an estimate.

What is a fair price for powdercoating the frame?

Is powdercoating worth the extra cost?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Bill

 

[slyone1000]

I just bought a portable powder coater from Harbour Freight Tools......and now I am pulling all of my brackets off of the car to redo them. I dont know how much it will cost to do a whole frame. But you will never have to worry about it again. Powder coating is 10 times stronger than paint, and I belive it now. And you can get it in almost any shade of color. But to powder coat a auto frame will take a BIG OVEN.........LOL

 

[slyone1000]

And if anybody knows where to get Powder cheaper than EastWood. Please post it.........

 

[Twin_Turbo]

I've got quite a bit of experience w/ powdercoating, I powdercoated about EVERY metal piece on the car. I still have to powdercoat the frame after I'm done welding but there's no reason to choose paint when you can have it coated. You will not be disappointed.

One small word of advice, if you drive the car and want to keep it looking good you may want to have the frame coated in semi flat black and not glossy. Road debris will create dull spots on the coating that will look out of place w/ the rest being bright and shiney (think of it as sandblasted parts)

Here's a bit of my handywork:

 

[groovyjay]

Like said above, if possible get it coated!!! If you are not going for NCRS specs and want long lasting good finish, go with coating. Like Marck, I have also coated every part possible and have been very satisfied with the result.

 

[matchframe]

I have made my mind up to have it powdercoated! In fact, I am waiting for a reply from one of the companies for a quote.

Good advice on the Gloss Black, I would not have thought about that! The quote I am waiting on is for Gloss Black, but I think I will change it to Semi Flat Black.

Bill

 

[Jack]

Over past 12-18 months, we've had several race car chassis powdercoated by a small local shop that has large enough oven.

Calder Powder Coaters
3301 Corporation Way
Darlington SC 29532
(843) 393-5022

Full tube chassis with no spindles no axles no A-arms and sheetmetal limited to little more than floorboard ... powdercoated for $450 each. He does not offer sandblast but does use a quickie chemical etch & neutralizer rinse before coating. Many colors available. We're very pleased with coverage, gloss and durability ... the stuff is hard as nails. If I had to guess ... a vette chassis should be at least $100 less because it doesn't have nearly so many elements ... less time & material. Our chassis are new ... old vette probably needs some blasting first.

IMHO, the real trick for OE-type chassis (lotsa nooks & crannies) would be a process known as "e-coating" ... this is a solution of about 80% de-ionized water:20% paint solids ... part & solution is charged as in powdercoating ... it is very quick as part is dredged through tank. The gloss is substantially less than powdercoat but the penetration into nooks & crannies is far better than any powdercoater might achieve. I dunno of any e-coater with tank large enough for chassis ... there may be one ... www.metokote.com is an e-coater but I don't know if any of their plants have large enough vat ... the one I toured did not. MetoKote e-coats zillions of auto parts for OE ... i.e. brake booster shells. If I had to hazard a guess ... maybe new OE chassis are presently e-coated ... it's cheap & environmentally sound.
JACK:gap

 

[matchframe]

Thanks Jack!

I have located two powdercoating companies nearby that normally powdercoats boat trailers, and some highway trailers such as lowboy trailers. I would believe if they could do a trailer, they could also powdercoat a Vette frame. I have yet to talk directly to them, but have sent e-mails requesting rough estimates.

My plan right now is to spend time welding all the parts of the frame that the factory skipped over, and redressing the original welds.

I appreciate all the information you posted! I learned alot!

Thanks!
Bill

 

[Mac]

Another good place to check for powdercoaters is elevator manufacturers. Most of them have huge ovens & dip tanks which will easily accomodate a frame. They often will take single jobs (like yours) for reasonable fees. I got my frame, all of my suspension bits and numerous sundry parts done for $500 and consent for them to take pictures of the job.

-Mac

 

[70 LS1]

I would actually vote against powdercoating the frame. If it chips or scratches you can't fix it other than touch up paint. With a painted frame you can touch up. That's why moste street/hot rods have painted frames.